Mendip Ring +

Farleigh Hungerford, Rode, Tellisford. 10 miles

This walk starts from the road outside of Farleigh House, home of Bath Rugby training ground Grid Ref ST 800569 and takes you through historic Norton St Phillip to Laverton over Henhambridge along Henhambridge Brook and follows the River Frome into Rode. Fine views over the valley on the way up to Tellisford then back through the woods to Farleigh House.

1.
Start the walk by going up the drive towards the House, follow the path across a drive through a squeeze stile onto a track and follow this between the house to reach an old barn turn right into a field cross to the tree line and follow the path down a track to pass over a stream into a field head up the hill to reach the road at the top. Do not use the stile to exit the field as this is a very dangerous exit, it's best to use the gate a little to the right of the stile. Turn left then cross the road and take the lane on the right, be warned this is a rat run so can be busy, it is also one way for some of it.

2.
Having followed this lane you will reach the A36. Cross the road with care, turn left and take the first path on the right walk up the track passing a barn on your right continue up the track through a gate then cross the bridge on your left and head towards Norwood Farm through the gate at the top of the field then slightly left through a gate in the fence, follow the path across this field through the next hedge at the top of the field via a bridge with a gate each end, now follow the hedge on your left to reach the drive. Proceed down the drive until you reach a stile up the bank on your left, cross this turn left, over the next stile then half left across the next field to a stile to the left of a gateway to reach the B3110 cross the road into Chever's Lane take the second turning on the left, Lyde lane leading into The Barton follow this round to cross the A366 into the footpath opposite follow the path round to the right into the cricket ground behind the church.

3.
Turn right through the churchyard to reach Vicarage Lane, turn left and follow the lane to take the first path on the left, head for the far top corner of the field and follow the path to the right following the hedge on your right over the stile in the hedge, the hedge is now on your left follow this round to the right were the hedge ends turn left uphill to reach Machley Lane, turn right and follow the lane taking the first path on the left, follow the path across to Peart Farm and on to reach a lane, cross this to the footpath opposite heading to Brook House Farm. The path round the farm has changed you now head to the left of the farm where you will find a stile on to the lane. On reaching the lane turn right then left into the first footpath, follow the path to reach another lane. Here a little to your left take diverted path round Manor Farm, following the path along Henhambridge Brook to reach a lane cross this and follow the path on to reach the A36.

4.
Cross the A366 with care, turn right then left into Shawcroft Lane and take the footpath off to the left, follow the path across the fields to reach The Mead at Rode. Turn right up the road then left to past the houses to reach a footpath at the bottom between the bungalows, follow this path down to reach a driveway turn right to the Road at Rode Hill, Turn left down the hill cross Rode Bridge then take the first turning right to Tellisford follow this lane and take the first path on the right cross the field to the top where you will find a stile, cross this turn right and follow this enclosed path along to enter a field, turn left, now the hedge is on your left, follow the path until you come to a steep downhill, here turn right and on your left you will find a stile cross this and climb up the hill going a little to the left once at the top head straight up the field to reach the road at Tellisford.

5.
Turn left then take the first footpath on the right, at the second stile take the middle path to cross a stile in the far left hand corner, climb up the incline an keeping the hedge on your left follow the path until you come to a field corner (the path should go straight ahead but its blocked) so turn right then first left this puts your back on line, follow the path through a small gate on your right, through the next gate then down the hill and through the gate at the bottom on your left into the woods, follow the path through the wood to enter a field continue on to reach the road. Turn right and follow the road back to the Farleigh House and your car.